Hydraulic winch with self-clamping jaws



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 8, 1967 P. E. H. GATU HYDRAULIC WINCH WITHSELF-CLAMPING JAWS Filed April 2, 1965 m m v Aug. 8, 1967 P. E. H. CATUmmnwmc wmcn WITH SELF-CLAMPING JAWS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 2, 1965wmwwwrmzo fi Fmr warm? on? 62 m3 mmwmmrwm mw m3. MD. mm? Kw m:

59 #9 mm? mm? mm mwr mm? m3. mm? m3 Si mm? 03. Q3 Q1 mm? @3 m3 0mm m atNb. m9 Q5 Q5 Aug. 8, 1967 P. E. H. CATU HYDRAULIC WINCH WITHSELF-CLAMPING JAWS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 2, 1965 lllll-lulnll'our rl|llllll|l l o3 mi United States Patent ()fifice 3,334,865 PatentedAug. 8, 1967 63 8 Claims. (or. 254-106) One of the objects of theinvention is to produce a hydraulic winch which is strong, of compactconstruction, unfailing to operate and easy to handle, while beingentirely automatic.

Another object of the invention is to produce a hydraulic winch whichcomprises auto-clamping jaws provided with clamps, moving symmetricallyin relation to the axis of the winch.

Another object of the invention is to produce a winch which, while beingentirely automatic is also independent.

Another object of the invention is to produce a winch automaticallyestablishing the releasing, gripping or pregripping of the clamps, andenabling either hauling movements, or backward movements to be effectedat a controlled speed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be revealed by thedescription and claims hereafter as well as the attached drawings, inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is an overall external view of a winch according to theinvention.

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatical view in longitudinal section of the jackassembly, fitted with its two clamp blocks.

FIGURE 3 shows the diagram of the circuit layout for controlling'thewinch. The hydraulic cable winch, according to the invention, comprises(see FIGURE 1) a cylinder 136 provided with two head elements 137, 138.

This cylinder is divided. into two parts by a partition 139 (see FIGURE:2) placed at a shorter distance from the head 137 than the head 138.

Between the head 138 and the partition 139, the cylinder accommodates amobile assembly comprising a main piston 140 and an auxiliary piston143.

The tubular rod 141 of this piston 140 can slide in a seal-tight mannerthrough the head 138 for externally receiving a rocking bar 142.

The auxiliary piston 143 is placed between the piston 140 and thepartition 139, and the tubular rod 144 of this piston traverses, withoutany clearance, the rod 141 of the main piston, and without play, therocking bar 142 in which it can slide in a seal-tight manner, receivinga flange 145, where it comes out.

Between the partition 139 and the head 137, the cylinder 136 receives asecond auxiliary piston 146. This auxiliary piston 146 comprises ahollow rod 147 which can slide in a seal-tight manner through the head137. This rod has a flange 148 at its end.

The piston 146 and its rod 147 are integral with a :central tube 149able to slide in a seal-tight mannenon the one hand, through thepartition 139, and on the other,

through the hollow rod 144 of the auxiliary piston 143.

The end 149 of this central tube 149 is located inside the rod 144.

The cylinder 136 of the jack is thus divided into independent chambersA, B, C, D, and E.

The chamber A, for generating the hauling movement of the mobile jaw, issupplied through an orifice 150 made in the end of the cylinder 1336close to the head 138.

The chamber B, for controlling the opening of the 'mobile jaw, issupplied through an orifice 151 made in the tree end of the rod 141 ofthe main piston. This orifice 151 emerges inside the rod 141 in theannular space comprised between this rod 141 and the rod 144.

The chamber C, for controlling the exit movement of the mobile assemblycomprises the pistons 143 and the mobile jaw.

The chamber D controls the opening of the fixed The chambers C and D aresupplied through the orifices 152 and 153, placed close to and at eachend of the partition 139.

The chamber E controls the closing and pre-gripping of the fixed jaw.This chamber is supplied through an orifice 154, made in the end of thecylinder 136, close to the head 137.

The free end of the rod 141 of the main piston 140 has two lateralexternal side plates 155, removably fixed on the rocking lever 142 bymeans of two pins 156, and between which are two gripping jaws withplain bearings, 157 and 158. On each of its two lateral faces, the grip157 carries, at an equal distance from its ends, two cylindricalsemi-journals 159 and 159 whereas the grip 158 carries on its twolateral faces, two cylindrical semijournals 160 and 160 placedequidistant from its ends, while being farther apart from each otherthan the semijournals 159 and 159 A grip multiplying lever 161,comprising two arms enclosing the grips 157 and 158, seizes the twosemi-journals 159 and 160 in corresponding cavities, and comprises alateral journal 162 centred on the middle of the segment joining thecenters of the semi-journals 159 and 160 This journal 162 can revolvefreely in one of the two lateral plates 163, removably fixed to the endof the flange by means of pins 163 while being axially guided in the twoexternal side plates 155. The main arm of the lever 161 is directeddownwards and is articulated at its lower end, on to the end of aconnecting rod 164, whose other end accommodates an articulation spindle164 fixed at its ends in the two side plates 155.

In a similar way, a second lever 165, provided with two arms enclosingthe grip 157, comprises a journal 166 and is placed symmetrically inrelation to the lever 161.

This lever 165 takes the two semi-journals 159 and and is directedupwards and articulates at its upper end on a connecting rod 167 whosesecond end takes an articulation spindle 167 fixed at its ends in thetwo side plates 155.

The journal 166 of the lever engages in one of the coupling plates 163placed between the gripping lever and the external side plates 155. Atthe entry to the jaw unit, a cable guide 174 is fixed between two sideplates 155 in the axis of the jaw unit.

A fixed jaw unit, placed at the other end of the jack, is removablyattached to the head 137, by means of pins 230.

This unit is composed of the same elements as the mobile jaw unit, butdiffers from it, however, owing to the fact that, as compared with theexternal side plates, the gripping clamps 168 and 169 are switched over,the same as the levers 170, 171, 172 and 173,.everything else, however,remaining the same from the assembling standpoint.

A cable guide 174 is also placed at the exit from this fixed jaw unit.The coupling plates 175 of the journals 176 and 177 of the grippinglevers 170 and 171, are removably attached to the flange 148 of the rod147 by means of pins 178.

On the upper part of the head 138 of the cylinder 136 a control unit179, 180 (see FIGURE 1) is fixed, whose exits are connected by externalpiping 181, 182, 183 tothe supply orifices 152, 153 and 154, and by aflexible pipe 184 to the orifice 151 of the rod 141, for supplying thechamber B.

The orifice 150 of chamber A directly communicates with thecorresponding exit from the unit 179.

The cylinder 136 is articulated on a pair of wheels 185, whose spindle186, situated slightly below the axis of the jack, is as near aspossible to the center of gravity of the winch.

On each of its sides, the head 138 has a journal for attaching the endof a cable 188 for securing the winch to a fixed point.

When passing above the spindle 186 of the wheels 185, the cable 188 iskept at the height of the axis of the jack, so as to be able then toswing it round at will around this point.

The hydraulic circuit of the winch control comprises (see FIGURE 3), asupply duct 110 with non-return valve 111, delivering into a circuit 112supplying the chamber A, a two-position distributor 113- for reversingthe movement of the mobile jaw, a two-position distributor 114 forreversing the movement of the cable holding the load, a braking valve115, a pilot valve 116, controlling the opening and closing of the valve115, a throttle valve 117 for limiting the delivery of the valve 116, anonreturn valve 118, a pressure reducing valve 119 for generating asteady pressure drop between chambers A and B when the driving rod ofthe mobile jaw enters, the load being propulsive, a pressurecompensating valve 120 connecting chamber E with the supply circuit 112below a certain pressure prevailing in this chamber B, a valve 121opening by differential pilotings for balancing the thrusts on bothfaces of the auxiliary piston 146 with a slight constant overpressure onthe piston 146 of chamber E towards chamber D, a pressure limiting valve122 for creating a slight counter-pressure between the delivery circuit123 and the return duct to the tank 124, a throttle valve 125 ensuring apermanent supply with a very slight output from chamber E by the highpressure circuit 112, and lastly, a three-position valve 96- forautomatically controlling the valve 113.

The two valves 115, 116, the throttle 117 and the nonreturn valve 118form the device for hydraulically braking the load.

The valve 115 has a variable opening, When this valve is full open, itconnects, without braking, chamber A to chamber B; on the other hand, itcompletely isolates these two chambers when it is closed; forintermediate positions, the valve 115 produces a throttling of the fluidwhich slows down its flow from A to B. When not operating, this valve isclosed.

The piloting valve 116 with three ways and two positions, connects, whenat rest, the control circuit 126 for opening the valve 115 to chamber Bthrough the throttle 117. In its second position, the valve 116 connectsthe opening circuit 126 to the delivery circuit 123. The nonreturn valve118 ensures the rapid emptying of the opening circuit 126 towardschamber B when the pressure at B drops below a certain value.

The passage of the valve 116 from its rest position to its workingposition takes place by hydraulic piloting supplied by chamber D. Thevalve 115 only begins to open for a pressure at 126 exceeding that ofthe counter-pressure circuit 123. The pressure of chamber D required forpiloting at 127 of the valve 116 is slightly greater than the pressureat the end of opening for the circuit 126 of the valve 115. Thebalancing valve 121 comprises a small section pilotage 121 connected tochamber E and a large section pilotage 121 connected to thecounterpressure circuit 123. The valve 121 closed at rest opens forconnecting chamber E to the circuit 123 for a certain pressure at E thatit maintains.

The compensation valve 120 which is open when at rest, ensuring the linkof the circuit 112 with chamber E, cuts this link slightly before thevalve 121 opens.

The distributors 113 and 114 being on the first position (positionsshown) chamber A is supplied by the circuit 112, chamber B is connectedto the counter-pressure cir- 4 cuit 123 through the distributor 113 andchamber C through the distributor 114. These connections generate theentry of the rod driving the mobile jaw, the pre-clamping of this jaw bycounter-pressure at B and C on the unequal sections of the piston 143and a pre-clamping of the fixed jaw by the piston 146. The load iscarried. The distributor 114 being on its first position and thedistributor 113'on its second position (position shown waiting in FIGURE3), chamber B is connected to the supply circuit through the distributor113 and to chamber C through the distributor 114. These connectionsgenerate the putting under pressure of chambers B and C entailing theopening of the valve 115 by the control circuit 126 and hence theevacuation of the fluid from chamber A to chamber B and the rapid exitof the rod whereas the cable 4 is held by the fixed jaw. During theself-clamping of the fixed jaw, the piston 146 creates a depression at Ewhich causes the opening of the compensation valve The distributor 114being put on its second position, and the distributor 113 on its first,chamber B is connected to chamber D through the distributor 114 and thecounter-pressure circuit 123 through the distributor 113, whereaschamber C is connected to the high pressure circuit 110 through thedistributor 114, the pressure reducing valve 119 and the distributor113. These connections generate a pressure in chamber C which tends torelease the grips of the mobile jaw if the latter holds the load. Owingto the pressure drop generated by the valve 119 between chamber A andchamber B the piston and its rod begin to enter taking along the mobilejaw which slides on the cable, before said jaw has been able completelyto open, the cable then being held by the fixed aw.

The distributors 113 and 114 being placed on their second position,chamber B is connected to chamber D through the distributor 114 and tothe supply circuit 110 through the distributor 113, whereas chamber C isconnected to the counter-pressure circuit 123 through the distributor114 and the distributor 113. The fixed jaw holding the load, the puttingunder pressure of chambers B and D causes the opening of the brakingvalve 115 without this bringing about the displacement of the mainpiston 140, then the hydraulic control of the valve 115, which cuts outthe control pressure of the valve 115, which closes, then, the openingof the fixed jaw Whereas the mobile jaw progressively takes up the load.For a certain pressure value at D, before the complete releasing of thefixed jaw, the valve 116 resumes its rest position, the valve 115 opensand the fluid from chamber A flows to chamber B whereas the withdrawalspeed of the load increases up to the moment when the delivery of thecircuit 110 becomes just sufficient for supplying chamber -B underpressure. The valve 115 then stops opening and the speed of the loadremains constant.

In this method of embodiment, the distributor 113 can be hydraulicallycontrolled in both directions by the piloting valve 96 mechanicallycontrolled at the end of the stroke and manually at any point of thestroke of the jack rod.

Of course, the invention is not restricted to the examples of embodimentdescribed and shown above, from which other methods and forms ofembodiment can be provided without going outside of the scope of theinvention for that purpose.

What I claim is:

1. Hydraulic winch comprising a hydraulic cylinder, a fixed selfclampingjaw secured to one end of the cylinder, a mobile self-clamping jaw atthe opposite end of the cylinder, each jaw including a body containing apair of movable grips and clamping levers articulated on the body formoving the grips toward each other to clamp the jaw when the grips aremoved lengthwise in one direction relative to the body, a plurality ofpistons in said cylinder provided with central openings, hollow pistonrods secured to the pistons around said openings, said rods beingslidably disposed in one another and forming a central telescoping tubeextending through the cylinder for the passage of a haulage cabletherethrough, one of the hollow rods being connected with the grips ofthe fixed jaw to move them lengthwise of the fixed jaw body, anotherhollow rod being connected with the body of the mobile jaw, anotherhollow rod being connected with the grips of the mobile jaw to move themlengthwise of the mobile jaw body, and means for introducing fluid underpressure into said cylinder at predetermined points for moving thepistons in predetermined directions to move the mobile jaw toward andaway from the cylinder and to clamp that jaw when it i moving in onedirection and to clamp the other jaw when the mobile jaw is moving inthe other direction.

2. Hydraulic winch according to claim 1, including a partition in saidcylinder provided with a central opening therethrough, the hollow rodthat is connected with the grips of the fixed jaw extending through saidpartition opening in sliding engagement with the partition, the pistonthat is secured to that hollow rod being disposed between said partitionand the fixed jaw, and the piston connected to the hollow rods connectedwith the body and grips of the mobile jaw being disposed at the side ofsaid partition opposite to said first-mentioned piston.

3. Hydraulic winch according to claim 2, in which the inlets to thecylinder for said fluid under pressure are located between the ends ofthe cylinder and the nearest pistons and between said partition and thenearest pistons and in the exposed end of the hollow rod connected withthe mobile jaw, the hollow rods connected with the mobile jaw and thegrips thereof being in sliding engagement at their outer ends but spacedapart inwardly thereof to form a passage for fluid entering said inletin said exposed end.

4. Hydraulic winch according to claim 1, in which said fluid pressureintroducing means includes a hydraulic circuit provided with adistributor for producing the reversing movement of the grips and mobilejaw, and valves controlled by the pressure of the liquid in the circuitfor setting up counter-pressure on the pistons connected with the gripsof the jaws and for producing their pre-gripping.

5. Hydraulic winch according to claim 1, in which said fluid pressureintroducing means includes a hydraulic circuit provided with adistributor for producing the reversing movement of the grips and mobilejaw, and a hydraulic braking valve for limiting the speed of the load onthe haulage cable when it is propulsive.

6. Hydraulic winch according to claim 5, in which a piloting valvesubjects said braking valve to the unclamping pressure of the fixed jawfor keeping the fixed jaw slightly clamped on the cable during brakingof said'load.

7. Hydraulic winch according to claim 6, including a pressure reducingvalve in the hydraulic circuit to prevent complete unclamping of themobile jaw when, the load being propulsive, the mobile jaw returnstoward the cylinder empty.

8. Hydraulic winch comprising a fixed self-clamping jaw and a mobileself-clamping jaw, each of said jaws having a body containing a pair ofvertically spaced movable grips and two pairs of clamping levers, thelevers of each pair being pivoted together at their inner ends with theouter ends of one lever pivoted to the adjoining jaw body and the outerend of the other lever articulated on the grips, one pair of levers ineach jaw being above the grips therein and the other pair being belowthose grips, and means for moving each pair of grps horizontally,relative to the body containing them, in directions toward and away fromthe other pair of grips to actuate said levers for opening and closingsaid grips.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,756,019 7/1956 Heidenstram eta1. 254- 3,176,961 4/1965 Glass 254-29 3,203,669 8/ 1965 Iohansson254107 3,237,920 3/ 1966 Dohmeier 254-105 OTHELL M. SIMPSON, PrimaryExaminer.

8. HYDRAULIC WINCH COMPRISING A FIXED SELF-CLAMPING JAW AND A MOBILESELF-CLAMPING JAW, EACH OF SAID JAWS HAVING A BODY CONTAINING A PAIR OFVERTICALLY SPACED MOVABLE GRIPS AND TWO PAIRS OF CLAMPING LEVERS, THELEVERS OF EACH PAIR BEING PIVOTED TOGETHER AT THEIR INNER ENDS WITH THEOUTER ENDS OF ONE LEVER PIVOTED TO THE ADJOINING JAW BODY AND THE OUTEREND OF THE OTHER LEVER ARTICULATED ON THE GRIPS, ONE PAIR OF LEVERS INEACH JAW BEING ABOVE THE GRIPS THEREIN AND THE OTHER PAIR BEING BELOWTHOSE GRIPS, AND MEANS FOR MOVING EACH PAIR OF GRIPS HORIZONTALLY,RELATIVE TO THE BODY CONTAINING THEM, IN DIRECTIONS TOWARD AND AWAY FROMTHE OTHER PAIR OF GRIPS TO ACTUATE SAID LEVERS FOR OPENING AND CLOSINGSAID GRIPS.